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Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776
Natural Rights
Natural or unalienable rights are rights that every human is entitled to from birth. It cannot be takeaway or violated by other as they are meant to protect the peace and liberty of an individual
Consent of the governed
peoples under this authority have given consent to the existence and legitimacy of the government allowing it to operate as a public authority
3 main principles → Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
Influenced by the political beliefs of enlightenment author John Locke during the revolutionary period
Articles of Confederation Weakness
was the first U.S. constitution (1781-89) meant to balance the sovereignty of the states with an effective national government
Weakness
Congress was not strong enough to enforce laws or raise taxes
made difficult to repay debts form revolutionary war
There was no executive (enforces laws) and no judiciary (determines if constitutional) branches of government
issues between states not settled with ratification like taxation
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
All land in that territory should be divided into townships (36)
1 (#16) township reserved for schools/public administration
Part of 1 (#31) township reserved for common land
Rest of townships sold to people, and money went to government under Articles of confederation
5,000 residents → it could create self-governing legislature
60,000 residents → it could apply to become a U.S. state
give congress their state constitution and each U.S. sate would vote through reps in congress
Outlawed Slavery
no slavery except for crime & punishment
Article 6 of NW Ordinance → A fugitive person escaping slavery is to be returned to their owner
Significance
1st act of the new gov under articles of confederation
says gov has power to determine if state could be free or slave when entering union
Three-fifths Compromise
Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3
Slaves would count as 3/5 person in determining representatives in the House and taxes (taxes owed by the states to the federal government)
Significance
south got more representatives in the house, so their political power increased
Slave Trade Compromise
Article 1, Section 9, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution
Slaveholders could be taxed up to $10.00 (max) per imported slave
The Commerce Clause
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution
To address the problems of interstate trade barriers (protective tariffs and trade barriers to protect their own economies), the commerce clause grants congress the power “to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian Tribes.”
Federalism
the division of power between the national government and state governments
Compact theory= The U.S. was formed through an agreement between the state governments.
All states are sovereign, but they give some of their rights to the national government as long as the national government follows the Constitution and treats all the states the same
Significance
: It’s divided, so there isn’t tyranny (oppressive gov). It establishes that the national government has more power over the states (Supremacy Clause).
Checks & Balances
referred to a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from gaining too much power.
This principle was integral to the structure of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches could each limit the powers of the others.
Prevented Tyranny after the British rule, protecting individual liberties
foundation of the constitution influencing its structure and gained support by addressing the fears of a centralized government
Bills of Rights
Collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution ratified December 15th, 1791
amendments introduced to guarantee essential rights and civil liberties and limit powers of federal gov
Amendments
Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, and Assembly
Right to Bear Arms
The right not to quarter soldiers
Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
Due process of law rights and the accused
Right to fair, impartial, and speedy trial
Right to trial by jury
No cruel or unusual punishment/excessive fines
Protects rights not listed in constitution
States’ Rights
Census
Systematic effort to count the population and gather demographic information about the inhabitants of a country
In Unites States First Census conducted 1790, following guidelines established by the constitution → began Aug 2, 1790, ending within 9 months
census takers known as marshals went door to door to get information
purpose was to determine population for apportionment of seats in the house of representatives and for tax purposes
recorded head of each household categorizing them into several groups
free white males aged 16+, free white males under 16, free white females, all other free persons, and slaves.
Significance
first federally sponsored count of American people measuring the nations growth and prosperity
Writ of Habeas Corps
U.S. Constitution protects the right to Habeas Corpus in Article 1, Section 9
crucial legal instrument used to protect individual liberty preventing unlawful detention
rooted in English common law and fundamental right requiring anyone detained to be brought before a court to determine the legality of their freedom
vital check on the power of the gov and a protection of personal freedom
Practice was essential part of the judicial system, helping to uphold the rule of law
Use of the word slave in the Constitution
“other persons” → Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3
“such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit” → Article 1, Section 9, Clause 1
“person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof” → Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3
Defense of Slavery in the Constitution
Constitution defended the institution of slavery
seen with the
3/5ths clause → counted each enslaved person 3/5ths of a person
Fugitive Slave clause → escaped slaves go back to slaveowner
importation clause → importation of enslaved people to continue until 1808 (congress banned it)
Missouri Compromise 1820
1819 Number of slave/free states equal (11&11)
Significance - Missouri was the 1st territory fully west of the Mississippi River to apply to become a state
1819 February Bill to allow Missouri to apply to become state was blocked by the House
1820 March 3rd congress approved bill - Missouri Compromise
President Monroe (5th) signed bill despite believing congress didn’t have power to impose limits on new states.
3 Provisions
Missouri was admitted as a Slave State
Maine was admitted as a free state (to keep the balance between # of slave & free states)
Beside Missouri, slavery was banned above the 36 30 line in Louisiana Purchase
Tallmadge Amendment
1819, February 13th - James Tallmadge (NY rep. In House) proposed an amendment preventing the expansion of slavery to Missouri
It reproduced part of the NW Ordinance of 1787 • It left out Article 6: any fugitive slaves (slaves who escaped and were not emancipated) must be returned to their owner
2 Provisions
Slavery would only be permitted for the punishment of crimes
Children born w/in Missouri would be emancipated at the age of 25
Was passed by the House 87 (mainly north for it) to 76 (mainly south against), but FAILED in the Senate
Amendment was not passed
Effects of Tallmadge
Abolitionists argued
slavery was never mentioned in the Constitution and was only given as a concession, therefore it was not intended as national policy
Slavery was incompatible w/the founding principles of the Constitution & Declaration of Independence
Pro Slave States
Constitution did not give Congress the right to decide on the constitutions of individual states, only states had that right
States' Rights
states retain certain political power that they did not give to the federal government when they ratified the Constitution
Compact Theory
Constitution was formed through a compact agreed upon by all the states & the federal government is thus a creation of the states
States gave up certain rights to the federal government (Supremacy Clause), but they did not give up the state’s constitutional rights or rights from the Bill of Rights
John C. Calhoun
Vice President from South Carolina
Argued the Compact Theory was broken because the North was given an advantage over the South by the federal government
Nullification Crisis
South wanted tariffs of 1828 and 1832 to be nullified
Why
Northern economy benefited at the South’s expense
South relied heavily on cotton for their money
a federal tax (tariff) was placed on imports to America
→ South could no longer buy as many manufactured good from Britian
→ Britain bought less cotton from the South causing South to lose money
Northern US manufactured goods were expensive but less expensive than importing from Britain, so the South was forced to buy manufactured goods from the North
What Happened
South threatened to secede if customs officials tried to collect duties
Compact Theory was broken according to Calhoun, because the North was given an advantage over the South by the federal government
Tariff of Abomination
Henry Clay proposed the 1833 Compromise Tariff
It was a tariff bill that would gradually lower duties over the course of 10 years
Federal government needed tariffs to still exist because they needed the money
had to pay France, Britain, and military because of American Rev
President Jackson urged Congress to pass the Force Bill (part of 1833 Compromise)
Force Bill - Federal Government can send troops to states to collect tariffs if the South refuses to pay
Significance - the states were exercising their right to challenge the government
Texas Settlement
American Settlement in Texas
1821 - Mexico won independence from Spain
Mexican government offered surrounding land to gov’t officials & ranchers
Encouraged Americans to settle in Texas because wanted to make land more secure (especially from attacks from Native Americans)
Done by selling land for cheap to
English-speaking (Anglo) pop. surpassed the Mexican (Tajanas) pop.
1821 (after Mexico’s independence)
Stephen F. Austin obtained permission to establish a colony between the Brazes & Colorado rivers
1825 Austin issued 297 land grants to the group Texas’ Old Three Hundred
each family got:
177 inexpensive acres of farmland
4,428 acres of stock grazing + exemption from paying taxes
1830 - 20,000+ Americans living in Texas
Texas Revolution
Cultural Differences between Mexico & American Settlers
Anglos were mainly Protestant and spoke English
Mexicans were mainly Catholic and spoke Spanish
1829 - Mexico abolished slavery
Southern settlers (Anglo) brought their slaves to Texas, Mexico abolished slavery & Texans wouldn’t free their slaves
1833 - Austin traveled to Mexico City to present petitions to Santa Anna (Mex President) for Texas to be more self-governing
Austin was imprisoned for inciting revolution: Santa Anna suspended local powers in Texas & other Mexican states
1835 - Austin returned to Texas and issued a call to Texans to arm themselves; at the same time Santa Anna marched his army toward San Antonio
Texas Annexation
Lieutenant Colonel William Travis (commander of the Anglo troops) moved Texas troops to the Alamo
1836 Feb 23 - Mexican troops attacked rebels at the Alamo
1836 Mar 2 - Texans declared independence & ratified a constitution based on the U.S. (battle at Alame still happening)
1836 Mar 6 - 13-day siege at Alamo ended (Texas lost)
ALL Texan defenders (187) & hundreds of Mexicans died
1836 March (later) - Santa Anna executed 300 rebels
6 weeks after Alamo - Sam Houston (new commander in chief b/c Travis died at Alamo)
900 soldiers surprised a group of Mexicans near the San Jacinta River
Killed 630 Mexican soldiers in 18min + captured Santa Anna & for him to sign the Treaty of Velasco
granted Texas Independence
1836 Sept - Sam Houston elected president of the new Republic of Texas
Manifest Destiny
idea that the United States is destined to expand its dominion and capitalism across North America
James K Polk
Who:
James K Polk 11th president of the United States → Democrat
Campaign slogan: 54'“ 40’ or fight (Oregon/54th parallel)
1844 border dispute with Britain over who owns Oregon
Campaigned the idea of Manifest Destiny that Americans were destined to expand from coast to coast
What he did
Sent John Slidell to negotiate $25 million for upper California & New Mexico → Mexico refuses
Polk signed treaty with Britian to give up Oregon to Britain b/c did not want to deal with two wars/negotiations (Britain&NM)
Mexico Cession
Goes into Mexico using U.S. forces
U.S. wins with more sophisticated naval weapons and strategy
U.S. takes over capital and forces Mexico to surrender
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo → $10 million for 5 states (OG deal from Polk was $25 million for 2 states)
U.S. gained 55% of Mexico (1/3 of entire U.S.)
Mexican American War
1845, March - Mexican gov't recalled its ambassador from Washington
1845, Dec 29- Texas enters the union
Disagreement of placement of Texas’ southern border
Texas- says border extended to Rio Grande
Mexico- says border stopped at the Nueces River (100 to 150 miles NE)
Polk (US president) sent John Slidell to negotiate with Mexico, but they refused to see him
→ Polk ordered US troops to Texas’ southern border
1845- John C. Frémont & troops went to California (violated Mexico’s territorial rights)
→ Mexico troops cross Rio Grande
1846 - Polk called for war with Congress approval
U.S. easily wins
Mexican Secession (Mexican-American war outcome)
(1848) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
U.S. gets New Mexico and California for $15 million
U.S. gained 55% of Mexico (1/3 of entire U.S. today)
Currently- California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, most of Arizona, parts of Colorado & Wyoming
(1853) Gasden Purchase
President Pierce pays $10 for more land
Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850 written by Henry Clay (Whig, sen. Kentucky, Speaker of the house 1823-25)
5 Provisions
California was admitted to the Union as a free state
New Mexico and Utah have popular sovereignty
Texas and New Mexico border was established by a payment of $10 million
The Fugitive Slave Act was made stricter
Interstate slave trade was outlawed in Washington D.C.
Significance
Kept the union together and lessened tensions between North and South
Wilmot Proviso
Introduced to Congress in 1846 & again in 1847 → FAILED both times
Background
South wanted to annex Texas b/c they wanted another slave state but North wanted added territory to be Free
David Wilmot
Democrat in the House Representing Pennsylvania (anti-slavery b/c he was from North)
The Wilmot Proviso called for the federal government to prohibit slavery (except for punishment of crime) for all land acquired from war with Mexico
Significance
first time politics was divided along sectional lines
Kansas Nebraska Act 1854
January 21, 1854- Douglas persuaded Franklin Pierce (Democrat President) to support the bill
Passed in the Senate 37 to 14 and in the House 113 to 100
3 Provisions
Nebraska territory was divided into two (Kansas and Nebraska)
The new territories had Popular Sovereignty
Cotton did not grow well in Nebraska, so slavery was likely going to be outlawed
repealed Missouri Compromise
South Happy/North Upset
South declared Missouri Compromise Unconstitutional since it should be up to states to decide free or slave state not congress
Bleeding Kansas (1854-1859)
About a dozen violent incidents with more than 200 ppl involved throughout Kansas.
1856 May 21- Sack of Lawrence
Border Ruffians/Pro-slavery government claimed that Lawrence was using fraudulent means to gain control (printing press printed brochures to tell people to vote against slavery & rallies were held)
Sherif was going to arrest people
Pro-slavery mob thought sheriff were taking too long, so a mob of hundreds destroyed the town, claiming that they were carrying out the Will of the local sheriff.
1856 May 24- Pottawatomie Massacre
John Brown and his sons (all anti-slavery) went to Pottawatomie Creek (pro-slavery settlement)
Killed 5 pro-slavery ppl with a broad sword
Believed that G-d had sent him to seek justice (response for Sack of Lawrence)
Lecompton Constitution
Drafted in 1857 and advocated for pro-slavery in Kansas Territory
aimed to secure Kansas as slave state by
permitting slavery
excluding free blacks from living in Kansas
only allowing white male U.S. citizens to vote
Constitution was highly controversial and contributed to tensions leading up to Civil War
John Brown Constitution
Created by abolitionist John Brown in 1858
outlined framework for new government in U.S. that intended to support and protect escaped slaves
meant to provide legal organizational structure to protect slaves and abolitionists
Preston S. Brooks and Charles Sumner
“Appeal of the Independent Democrats” signed by Fre-Soilers including Charles Sumner
was published in many northern newspapers attacking Pierce, Douglas, & their supporters for breaking a sacred compact by repealing the Missouri Compromise
1856 May 22 - Canning of Charles Sumner
It happened in the Senate Chamber. Representative Preston Brooks (pro-slavery Democrat from South Carolina) used a walking cane to attack Senator Charles Sumner (abolitionist Republican from Massachusetts)
The attack was in response to a speech given by Sumner 2 days earlier in which he criticized slaveholders, including pro-slavery South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler (relative of Brooks)
Dred Scott decision of 1857
Background:
Scott’s owner took him to a free state, then died. Scott petitioned the court for his freedom
1857 Supreme Court ruling (5 decisions)
Slaves are property protected by the 5th amendment, they can never be free
All black people were not considered citizens of the U.S.
Slaves do not have the right to sue for freedom
Congress had no authority to ban slavery in any territory
Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional
Lincoln Douglas Debates
Lincoln asked Douglas how slavery could stop expanding in light of the Dred Scott ruling
Douglas said that states can choose not to enforce or pass slave laws. This gained some favor with North but South upset b/c they worked hard to the Fugitive Slave Law and other slave laws.
Significance - permanently split the Democratic Party into North & South
Cotton Plantation system
South’s economy is dependent on cotton as a cash crop
South is the main producer of cotton, they exported more than 90% of the world’s cotton by 1860s
British is their biggest buyer
South says that they are self-sufficient, and they have the right to secede because of cotton
Forced Britain to support their secession by threatening to withhold cotton from them if they do not help
Tried to use Cotton Diplomacy to get Britain to supply ships and weapons to the South + wanted other nations to declare the South Sovereign
Britain could have bought cotton from Egypt instead, but it was more expensive
Whigs rely on cheap cotton and raw materials from the South for manufacturing in the North
William Lloyd Garrison
Abolitionist
Leader of the Anti-Slavery Society & founder of the Liberator newspaper
Apart of the 1854 July 4th Anti-Slavery Society rally (Framingham, Massachusetts)
he burned copy of the constitution and American flag, speaking against the Fugitive Slave Act
Sojourner Truth
Abolitionist
Former Slave
Worked with William Lloyd Garrison in Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society committee
Most famous writing “Anti I a Woman” which spoke on color division and asked why as a woman she did not have the same rights
Harriet Tubman
Leader in famous Underground Railroad
Network between southern slave states to the northern free states to freedom in Canada
A former slave who escaped to become the leader of the Underground Railroad
She was called the “Black Moses”
Freed almost 300ppl including her family, taking 19 trips back to the south to free slaves
Abolitionist
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Author of famous book Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Book portrayed a male slave being told to beat a female slave who tried to escape, showing that slavery is morally wrong
Sold 300, 000+ copies in U.S. &1 million+ in the U.K.
Bestselling book of the 19th Century, written in 60 languages
Significance
Abraham Lincoln attributes the abolitionist cause rising to this book
South wrote books to counter this portraying the happy life of a slave
was not popular and did not make a difference
Note 
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